The Defense Ministry and IDF are moving ahead with the City of Training Bases (עיר הבה”דים) which will for all practical purposes move the many training bases from areas around Israel to one centralized location, in southern Israel near Yerucham.

When completed, it will be capable of housing 10,000 recruits. In addition, the influx of personnel who will be living in the new city will give a major economic boost to southern Israel as the families will require essential and recreational services in the area. Many career personnel will be relocating to the city when it becomes operational

The project began a number of years ago, in 2002, and it was approved by the government in 2007. It involves a combination of military and civilian companies, including Minrav, Binat and Electra in a unique private/public partnership agreement. The firms will maintain the site for 25 years at a cost of NIS 12 billion.

Following are photos of what the complex will look like upon completion, at least the areas that are not classified. The new city will home to a number of training bases including;

· The School for Logistics (Bahad 6), moving from Camp Yigal Yadin (Tzrifin)

· The School for Telecommunications (Bahad 7), moving from Tzrifin

· The School for Medicine (Bahad 10), moving from Tzrifin

· The Adjutant Corps School (Bahad 11), moving from Tzrifin

· The Military Police School (Bahad 13), moving from Camp Mota Gur

· The Ordnance Corps School (Bahad 20), moving from Tzrifin

· The Education Corps School, moving from Camp Shaare Avraham

· The Liaison (COGAT) School

· A recruit training base that will replace Camp Dotan (“Camp 80”) and the Nitzanim base

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)